Following weeks of destruction and loss, devastation and sadness comes a story of joy and new beginnings.
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Saturday night, November 9 was a time of great celebration when the first baby in close to 30 years was born at Forster Private Hospital.
Nala made a safe and uneventful entry at 2.30am weighing in at a healthy 3.5kg to second time parents, Kara Wickenden and Fede Lo Tauro. She is a little sister for 18-month-old toddler, Luna.
Incidentally, Nala has followed in her family's footsteps; both her mum and aunts were born at Forster hospital before the birthing centre closed back in the 1980s.
With the Pacific Highway and The Lakes Way closed due to surrounding bushfires, the couple was concerned they would have difficulty finding a safe place for their baby to be born.
Experiencing mild contractions for the past 48 hours, Kara and Fedi began making arrangements.
"I didn't think I really was going into labour," Kara said.
A call to Manning Hospital and arrangements were put into place. A local midwife, unable to get to Taree, was called in to assist.
Kara said her decision not to take police advice and travel to Newcastle was a lucky one.
It was so quiet and peaceful; it was quite a blessing.
- Kara Wickenden
By 3pm full strength contractions kicked into gear, and by 5pm Kara knew her baby was on the way.
However, because Forster Hospital was not equipped for deliveries, Kara was advised to wait until the contractions reached four every 10 minutes.
A five minute dash to hospital at 1.15am, and by 2.38am Nala was born.
Kara said she felt blessed for such an easy birth; Luna was a tiring 30 hours.
Up and about in no time, Kara and Nala were back home by lunch-time.
"I was happy to get home; back to my daughter."
Kara said the delivery at Forster was the next best thing to a home birth.
"It was so quiet and peaceful; it was quite a blessing."
Kara wasn't the only expectant mum on Saturday night; however her room-mate was driven to Newcastle.
Back home for three days, and Kara and Fede have opened their home to mum Julie and her Wingham RFS volunteer sister, Bree's four children, who are near the fire path.
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